German authorities have arrested three foreigners, including a Ukrainian, a Russian, and an Armenian, on suspicion of working for an undisclosed foreign secret service, according to the Federal Prosecutor’s Office.
Officials identified the three individuals as Ukrainian national Robert A., Armenian national Vardges I., and Russian national Arman S.
It stated that they had come to Germany on behalf of a foreign intelligence service to gather information on a Ukrainian who was staying there.
On June 19, they scouted out a cafe in Frankfurt where the target person was supposed to be, the prosecutors’ statement said.
The arrests were another case in a slew of espionage cases that hit Germany in recent months.
These include an alleged Russian sabotage plan targeting US military facilities, an EU lawmaker’s staffer accused of spying for China, and three Germans who were allegedly handling sensitive technology for China.
Meanwhile, Germany’s internal security service reported this week that Russia has turned to blackmail and financial incentives to hire Germans to spy for it, following Europe’s expulsion of approximately 600 Russian diplomats.
Russia has previously dismissed German claims of espionage.
